50th FUEN-Congress of Nationalities
4th - 8th May 2005

Bucharest-Romania

Press Release

Florina / Lerin
May 9, 2005

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An EFA-Rainbow delegation participated at the 50th FUEN-Congress of Nationalities, held in Bucharest, Romania. As an active member of FUEN, EFA -Rainbow expressed its views about the situation of the Macedonian minority in Greece and contributed in the formation and approval of the Congress' main resolution.

The following abstracts from the resolution of FUEN Assembly of Delegates refer specifically to this issue:

FUEN calls for:

1.The recognition of the Macedonian minority.

2.The recognition of the Macedonian language as a minority language and to introduce it into the elementary and to secondary educational system in the regions where it is widely used. The establishment of a chair at university level, dedicated to the Macedonian language. Additionally, the recognition of cultural organisations like the "Home of Macedonian Culture" (registration pending for more than 15 years, despite ruling of the European Court for Human Rights).

3. The introduction of the Macedonian language into the state Mass Media..

4. The unconditional and free entrance into Greece for all political refugees of Macedonian origin. Additionally, the ability to claim back/buy property as well as to get back their citizenship, which was taken from thousands of Macedonians during the civil war in Greece (1945-49).

5. The ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities of the Council of Europe as well as the implementation of all the international conventions and standards from the UN, OSCE, Council of Europe concerning the rights of national minorities.

6. The return of citizenship to the Macedonian emigrants who mostly live in Australia and Canada. This was revoked due to the public expression of their Macedonian identity.

*Please find the full text of main resolution at : http://www.fuen.org/pages/english/e_5c_2002.html

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